The Viking men's basketball team takes its shot against the No. 1 team in the country on Friday.

Valley City State (0-3) will take on defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Cardinal Stritch University at 5 p.m. Friday during a two-day tournament at Viterbo University.

The Vikings will then match up with either Viterbo University or Silver Lake College on Saturday, depending on Friday's results. Winners of Friday's games will play for the tournament championship Saturday. Both games involving Viterbo University will have live video and live stats at the links above.

The Vikings picked up a win earlier this week at Minnesota-Crookston, 65-47, but it was designated as an exhibition game so it does not count on their overall record. VCSU shot 60 percent in the first half of that game and played solid defense throughout in their best overall performance of the year.

Senior Aaron Duske and junior AJ McDonald have stepped up their game this year for the Vikings. McDonald is averaging 21 points and five assists through three games, while Duske is averaging 18 points and five rebounds.

Cardinal Stritch (2-1) is coming off its first loss of the season, 64-53 last Saturday vs. Saint Francis. The Wolves have been led offensively by Derek Semenas, who is averaging 20 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. Tony Smith is scoring 12 points and dishing out five assists per game.

Viterbo comes into the tournament with a 2-1 record, including a 73-64 win over VCSU last week. Viterbo also defeated its first round opponent Silver Lake College 81-57 earlier this season.